Conduit for electric wires or cables.



No. 702,663. Patented lune I7, I902.

B. W. LYLE. CONDUIT FOR ELECTRIC WIRES 0R GABLES.

(Application filed Apr. 10, 1902.)

(No Model.)

UNiTED STAT S ATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT W. LYLE, OF PERTH AMBOY, 'NEVV JERSEY.

CONDUIT'FOR ELECTRIC WIRES OR CABLES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 702,663, dated. June 1'7, 1902.

Application filed April 10, 1902. Serial No. 102,170. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, ROBERT W. LYLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Perth A1n boy, Middlesex county, New Jersey, have in-v In the conduits now in general use it is usual to employ what are termed centering dowels or pins, which serve to connect and hold in true alinement the opposite ends of adjacent conduit-sections or tiles, said dowels the adjacent ends of the conduit-sections or' tiles and to provide in lieu thereof asimple form of connecting and centeringmeans for the said ends, such means being constructed and arranged to embrace the outer corners or angles of abutting conduit-sections in such manner as to securely lock and hold the sections in true alinement onewith the other.

This invention is distinguished from prior devices in the art in that the connecting and centering means are applied to the exterior walls of the conduit-sections or tiles, where they can be readily attached, instead of in the webs or partitions at the'ends of the sections, at which points they are almost inaccessible when the sections are being laid.

In order to enable others to understand, make, and use my said invention, I will now proceedto describe the same in detail, reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis an cnd'view of a conduit-section or tile, showing my improved locking and centering means applied thereto. Fig. 2 isa side elevation of a plurality of conduit-sections or tiles centered and locked together.

Fig; 3 is an enlarged detail end view of one which they are housed and protected. In the exterior faces of the tiles or conduit-sections, at opposite ends thereof, I provide grooves, recesses, or depressions 3, which are preferably located in line with and directly opposite the webs or partitions 2, so as not to unduly weaken the structure of the'tile. These grooves extend to the end of the tile, as shown, so that when the tiles are arranged end to end the grooves will register with each other.

The numeral 4 designates a corner-clip, which I have shown in the present instance as made of suitable yielding material, such as spring metal, the arms 5 of which are disposed at an angle to each other. In the type I of clip shown when in normal position a crosssection taken therethrough will represent an acute angle. The ends of the arms 5 are bent or flanged inward, as at 6, so as to freely enter the grooves 3 in the tile when the clip is sprung over a corner thereof.

In layinga conduit with my improved tile or conduitsections and clips said tiles or sections are placed in the trench endtoend, so that the grooves in one tilewill-registeror aline with those in the adjacentftil'e. 'fThe spring-clips 4 are then forced over the'jicorners or angles'of the tiles at the abutting ends thereof until the flanges 6 snap into the grooves 3. The said tiles'will'then be securely locked in true alinement one with the other, and as the clips almost entirely cover the joint between the adjacent ends of the abutting tiles said ends will be protected against rupture and a secure closure obtained, thus excluding the entrance of foreign matter into the tiles or conduit-sections, which is a mat ter of considerable importance in structures of this class. I may, if desired, and preferably do, wrap the abutting ends of thetiles with a strip of asbestos cloth, tarred paper, or the like, 7, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This wrapping entirely surrounds the abutting ends of the tiles and covers the spring-clips 4, thus securely holding the latter against accidental displacement and providing a water and moisture proof joint between the parts.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction of clip herein shown and described, for it is obvious that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims that follow this specification. I also wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the short grooves 3 at the ends of the tiles, it being obvious that the grooves could be made to extend throughout the entire length thereof and the same result secured.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a series of tiles arranged end to end, each tile having external grooves at its opposite ends, of clips embracing the outer faces of abutting tiles and having portions thereof entering said grooves to center and lock the tiles in alinement.

2-. A conduit comprising a series of tiles arranged end to end,and clips embracing the corners of said tiles at the abutting ends thereof.

3. A conduit comprising a series of tiles arranged end to end, and spring-clips embracing the corners of said tiles at the abutting ends thereof.

4.. A conduit comprising a series of tiles arranged end to end, and metallic clips embracing the corners of said tiles at the abutting ends thereof, said clips covering the joints between adjacent tiles.

5. The combination with a series of tiles arranged end to end, each tile having external grooves at its opposite ends, of angular clips embracing the corners of abutting tiles and having portions thereof entering said grooves to center and lock the tiles in alinement.

6. The combination with a series of tiles arranged end to end, each tile having external grooves at its opposite ends, of angular clips embracing the corners of abutting tiles and having flanges that enter said grooves to center and lock the tiles in alinement.

'7. The combination with a series of tiles arranged end to end to form a conduit, each tile having external grooves at its opposite ends, of angular clips embracing the corners of abutting tiles and having flanges that enter said grooves, and a covering of flexible material surrounding the abutting ends of the tiles and inclosing said clips.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a corner-clip comprising integral spring-arms normally arranged at an angle to each other less than a right angle, said arms being provided with inwardly-projecting portions.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a corner-clip comprising a strip of spring metal bent intermediate its ends to provide two rosilient arms that are normally disposed at an angle to each other less than a right angle,

said arms being provided with inwardly-projecting portions.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a corner-clip comprising a strip of resilient material bent intermediate its ends to provide two spring-arms that are normally disposed at an angle to each other less than a right angle, said arms being provided with inwardly-projecting portions.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a corner-clip comprising a strip of spring metal bent intermediate its ends to provide two resilient arms that are normally disposed at an angle to each other less than a right angle, the ends of said arms being flanged inward toward each other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presenceof two subscribing Witnesses.

ROBERT W. LYLE.

Witnesses:

EDGAR W. WILLIAMS, ELISABETH WATTERs. 

